Travel to the Ghandhara civilisation

A high-level delegation of monks from China, Japan and Korea led by Monk Hwa Ran, Monk Bubuil and ex-Army Chief of Korea, General Hee Do (Retd), who were on a visit of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the name "Gandhara Peace Tour" visited Shangardar Stupa and Buth Kada, near Mingora in District Swat on Wednesday morning.

They, while performing their religious rituals, prayed for peace in Pakistan and the whole world and evinced keen interest in the ancient remains of Buddhism in Buth Kada.

On this occasion beside others, Provincial Minister for Sports, Museums and Archeology, Syed Aqil Shah and Provincial Secretary Syed Jamaluddin Shah and Director Professor Dr Shah Nazar Khan were also present.

The delegation on their way to Swat stopped at Shangardar Stupa and performed their religious rites.

The delegation was also taken to the historical place of Buddhism, Buth Kada.

On this occasion, the Provincial Minister for Archeology and Museums, and Provincial Secretary of the Department Syed Jamaluddin Shah while talking to the media said the tour of such a high level delegation to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was a matter of satisfaction for us, adding the tour of the distinguished guests was an ample proof of the fact that the KP including Swat was peaceful now.

They added that the provincial government was striving hard to ensure the preservation and promotion of the Gandhara culture so that religious tourism could be promoted and consequently the followers of Buddhism including investors could come and invest for the preservation and renovation of their historical places and archeological sites.

The leaders of the delegation, while expressing their views, said they were really pleased to see the peaceful atmosphere in Pakistan and particularly in the KP province, and added they wanted to give the world community the message that the religious scholars, tourists, investors and traders from all over the world could come to the KP without any fear and risk.